Guillermo Pernot
Nationally renowned chef and restaurateur Guillermo Pernot joined Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar as the top toque in the Fall of 2006. As Concept Chef, Pernot is responsible for maintaining the quality, taste and authenticity of Cuba Libre's cuisine at all locations as the company expands its concept across America. His dinner, lunch and brunch menus envision what Cuba's cuisine would be like today, if it had continued to flourish beyond the golden era of the 1950s. Pernot's dishes are full of color, aroma and style.
Pernot is credited for introducing Nuevo Latino cuisine to Philadelphia. His restaurant ˇPasión! earned an impressive list of accolades including awards from Gourmet, Philadelphia Magazine and Fodor's. Pernot was named Esquire's "Chef of the Year". Additionally, he received two of the most prestigious awards given in the food industry: The James Beard Award for "Best Chef of the Mid-Atlantic Region" and "Best Single Subject Cookbook" for Ceviche: Seafood, Salads and Cocktails with a Latino Twist.
Pernot's background also includes the launch of Vega Grill, during which Food & Wine named him one of "America's Ten Best New Chefs," and Restaurant Hospitality named him one of the "Ten Rising Stars." He also spent time in Miami, where he led the kitchen at Gloria Estefan's Latin restaurant, Allioli in South Beach.
Pernot's culinary success can been attributed to his passionate and flavorful cuisine - a culinary dedication to his roots. Born in Argentina, Pernot and his wife, who is Cuban and whose great, great grandfather was a former President of Cuba, live in suburban Philadelphia with their two children. "I love the idea of leading Cuba Libre's expansion," Pernot says. "I am able to use my experience and culinary skills to mentor young chefs, manage multiple outlets and foster the future growth of the Cuba Libre concept."
About Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar:
Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar opened in Philadelphia in 2000 and Atlantic City in 2004 to much acclaim, giving guests a passport to Cuba's intriguing flavors and culture. James Beard award-winning Concept Chef Guillermo Pernot's menus feature tantalizing tastes that are derived from the exotic island's culinary traditions, which include Spanish, African, Creole and Asian influences. Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar opened its third location in Orlando, Fla. in December 2008 and is poised for major expansion into other new markets. The restaurant is part of Libre Management, LLC, which owns and operates a diverse portfolio of restaurant, catering, and nightlife concepts in Philadelphia and Atlantic City including 32° Luxe Lounge, Missile Bar, Shampoo Nightclub and Max & Me Catering. Principals Barry Gutin and Lawrence Cohen bring a unique combination of expertise to each of their projects and have been partners in the hospitality business since 1994. For more information about Cuba Libre, please visit www.cubalibrerestaurant.com. For more information on Libre Management, LLC, please call 215.922.3200.